The global burden of musculoskeletal injuries: challenges and solutions

Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2008 Oct;466(10):2306-16. doi: 10.1007/s11999-008-0416-z. Epub 2008 Aug 5.

Abstract

Musculoskeletal injuries are a major public health problem globally, contributing a large burden of disability and suffering. This burden could be considerably lowered by implementation of affordable and sustainable strategies to strengthen orthopaedic trauma care, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This article summarizes the global burden of musculoskeletal injuries and provides several examples of successful programs that have improved care of injuries in health facilities in low- and middle-income countries. Finally, it discusses WHO efforts to build on the country experiences and to make progress in lowering the burden of musculoskeletal injuries globally.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cost of Illness
  • Delivery of Health Care* / economics
  • Delivery of Health Care* / organization & administration
  • Delivery of Health Care* / statistics & numerical data
  • Developing Countries* / economics
  • Developing Countries* / statistics & numerical data
  • Emergency Medical Services* / economics
  • Emergency Medical Services* / organization & administration
  • Emergency Medical Services* / statistics & numerical data
  • Global Health*
  • Health Care Costs
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Health Services Research
  • Healthcare Disparities
  • Humans
  • Musculoskeletal System / injuries*
  • Orthopedic Procedures* / economics
  • Orthopedic Procedures* / statistics & numerical data
  • Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care* / economics
  • Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care* / organization & administration
  • Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care* / statistics & numerical data
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Program Development
  • Program Evaluation
  • World Health Organization
  • Wounds and Injuries / economics
  • Wounds and Injuries / mortality
  • Wounds and Injuries / therapy*